Dáil Question regarding Kerdiffstown Landfill Site

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if funding will continue for the remediation of the landfill site at Kerdiffstown; the future plans for this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Anthony Lawlor

For ORAL answer on Thursday, 8th March, 2012.

Ref No: 13094/12

In 2011, I provided a total of €5.56m in funding towards the costs arising in responding to the situation which arose at the Kerdiffstown landfill. Of this, €1.56m was paid to Kildare County Council in respect of the costs incurred in extinguishing the sub-surface fire which had developed at the site. Following the completion of the fire fighting activity on 25 February 2011, the fire services passed control of the site to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is now using powers under the Waste Management Acts to remediate the site and to put in place appropriate aftercare measures. A total of €4m was paid from the Environment Fund to the EPA in 2011 to assist in this task.

Remedial works are continuing at the site as part of a process that will take a number of years to complete. Activity in 2012 will involve a detailed site investigation, followed by detailed design of the full remediation works programme. I have made provision for €2.8m from the Environment Fund to support these activities in 2012.

It is not possible at this point to quantify precisely the further funding requirements that will arise, as the costs involved will depend on a range of factors, including the quantities of waste, the approach to remediation required and the results of tendering processes.